Sunderland have reportedly captured Inter Milan and Argentina midfielder, Ricky Álvarez on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal should they remain in the Premier League. The fee for the loan deal is around £1 million with the permanent deal to cost Gus Poyet’s side, in the region of £10 million. A member of Argentina’s World Cup squad and key member of Inter Milan’s side in the past season represents a sizeable coup for Sunderland ahead of the transfer window closing.

Inter Milan made the 26-year-old available after a disappointing season saw them finish in fifth, a collasal 42 points behind champions, Juventus. After rejecting Sunderland’s initial advances it is now thought that Gus Poyet has managed to persuade Álvarez to join the Black Cats.

Monaco were reportedly also keen on the former Vélez Sársfield midfielder but with Sunderland willing to match his Inter salary and the lure of Premier League football, the wearside club look to have made an impressive swoop.

Álvarez joined Inter Milan back in 2011 for around £10 million after impressing in Argentina with Vélez Sársfield in their championship winning sides of 2009 and 2011. Several other European sides were interested in Ricky at the time but Inter managed to complete the deal to bring him to Italy.

Álvarez has enjoyed an indifferent time in Italy, after a slow start he grew into a vital part of Inter’s starting eleven.

A classy attacking midfielder who can play across the midfield, Álvarez should bring a level of creativity and pace to the Sunderland side. His ability to play out wide and beat defenders but also come inside, linking play and offer an added goal threat could be a huge asset to Poyet’s side.